Coach's job on line as Colombia slapped in face

Colombia hit a new low in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers on Saturday as a home defeat against outsiders Venezuela left them bottom of the South American group without a point after three games.

Argentina gave a performance which is unlikely to rekindle public interest as they beat Bolivia 3-0 at a half-empty River Plate stadium while Paraguay and Uruguay made home advantage count in 2-1 wins over Ecuador and Chile respectively.

Paraguay's Jose Cardozo and Uruguay striker Javier Chevanton both scored their fourth goals in three qualifiers.

Argentina went top of the South American group with seven points from three games, though they could lose that place when Brazil - who have six from two - face Peru in Lima on Sunday.

Paraguay and Uruguay also have six points, Chile four and Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador three apiece.

Beleaguered Colombia coach Francisco Maturana was under pressure even before the defeat against opponents who had previously won only one qualifier away from home and who come from a country which prefers baseball to soccer.

By the time the final whistle went in Barranquilla, the crowd was shouting "Get out, get out" and the only question seemed to be whether Maturana would resign before or after Wednesday's meeting with Argentina in the same stadium.

Mexican-based Juan Arango did the damage with a rasping 25-metre left-foot drive in the eighth minute. After that, Colombia attacked desperately but could not make the breakthrough.

"I know that you've got a lot of questions and I haven't got many answers," said Maturana, who took Colombia to the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. "It's a difficult moment, this result is a slap in the face for Colombian football."